For the first time in its 28-year history, the annual Arts Alive International Festival will run for three consecutive months on digital platforms from 13 September until 12 December, instead of the usual month-long affair.
The City’s Acting Executive Mayor, Councillor Jolidee Matongo launched the festival under the theme “The Arts is Alive” at Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein on Wednesday, 9 September.
Due to the country’s lockdown regulations – promulgated to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic – all Arts Alive festivities will be held virtually, comprising of a range of activities such as music, webinars, community festivals, theatre productions, dance shows, and visual arts.
Cllr Matongo says Arts Alive aims to bring about socio-economic development in Johannesburg and to actively involve residents in social programmes brought out by the City.
“We view the arts not only as a mirror of the state of our society but also as a catalyst to inspire fundamental change in society,” he says.
After everything people went through with the Covid-19 lockdown, Cllr Matongo says it is important for the City to help residents of Joburg navigate this difficult period through the arts.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, says this year’s festival will also address issues of gender-based violence and femicide through webinars and workshops.
“This is the right platform to shine a light on this pandemic,” says Cllr Arnolds.
Some of the highlights of the Arts Alive 2020 programme include:
Jazz on the Lake – 13 September 2020: The concert will feature South African artists such as Shekhinah, Ami Faku, Andile Yeyana, Thandi Ntuli, Blaq Diamond and Mandisi Dyantyis.
South African Legends Concert – 2 October and 11 – October 2020: The Tribute Jazz Concert features Thandiswa Mazwai and Nduduzo Makhathini with a special appearance by Kitty Petlha. The two artists will play a tribute repertoire that honours legends of South African Jazz such as Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Bheki Mseleku and Busi Mhlongo. The second concert will be headlined by the Khaya Mahlangu Big Band.
South African Hip Hop Awards – 26 November 2020: The ceremony will feature pre-recorded performances by some of the nominees and different elements that happen on the night of the show.
Indigenous Gospel Concert – 29 November 2020: A competition will be run for clap and tap choirs, where participants will undergo a selection process to be among the Top 14 Choirs (2 per region) set to perform at the finale and win a prize.
Webinar on “The meaning and direction of the arts in the post-Covid-19 era” – 22 September 2020: The webinar will probe the role of the arts and what format and shape they’ll assume post-Covid-19. All events will be streamed for free via www.artsalive.joburg
You can also follow the Arts Alive International Festival on the following social networks:
Facebook: @JoburgArtsAlive
Twitter: @Arts_Alive
Instagram: @Joburg_ArtsAlive
